Explosively actuated press



March 7, 1939. R. TEMPLE. JR

EXPLOSIVELY ACTUATED PRESS Filed May 22, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Rosem- TEMP|.&,J9..

BY ATTORNEYS.

March 7, 1939. R. TEMPLE, JR

EXPLOSIVELY ACTUATED PRESS Filed May 22, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 INVENTOR. Rosem- TEMPLE,JR.

March 7, 1939. R. TEMPLE, JR

EXPLOSIVELY ACTUATED PRESS Filed May 22, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q Q m Q INVENTOR. Rosam- TEMPLE ,Ja.

BY mcag MO/ -o ATTORNEYJ'.

Patented Mar. 7, 13

Parent OFFICE anassi aimnosrvnw Amman Panes Robert Temple, Sin, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application May 22, 1936, Serial No. 81,288

This invention relates to presses and more particularly to apparatus for compressing metal sleeves on wires or cables as, for example, to connect them electrically.

The present invention comprises an improvement upon my Patent No. 2,030,803 relating to a compressing device and disclosing and claiming broadly the principle of a portable press of the character specified wherein the power for applying pressure is obtained by the expansive action of an explosive charge. While the construction and operation taught by my referred-to patent are entirely satisfactory for most purposes, I have found it advantageous to provide means for holding and centering the work during the compressing operation. Likewise it has now been determined that in certain uses where the press is'employed to perform a number of compressing actions along the same member as, for example, required in the joining of heavy cables by relatively long sleeves, an improved appearance of the finished joint can be obtained by moving both die members toward each other simultaneously. In this manner any offsetting tendency longitudinally of the sleeve is largely eliminated and moreover the holding of the sleeve and cables prior to joining is facilitated. Likewise with a single moving piston and die member there is a, tendency to transmit the impact of the starting and stopping of the die to the frame which is undesirable particularly where centering of the material worked on is important.

It is accordingly the general object of my invention to provide a press having a plurality of work-engaging members adapted to receive the work therebetween, which members are simultaneously moved toward each other by the expansive action of one or more explosive charges.

Another object of my invention is the provision of improved means for positioning the work relative to the work-engaging members.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for maintaining the work-engaging membars in fixed position until substantially a maximum pressure is obtained from the explosive charge tending to move the members together.

Another object of my invention is to provide a press of the character described wherein the features of portability, strength and lightness, featuring the compressing apparatus of my above referred-t patent are retained while doing double the work with no impact shock transmitted to the frame since the operation of the dies counterbalance.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are achieved by the provision of a press comprising a frame having a. plurality of workengaging members mounted therein for movement to and from each other and shaped to receive a piece of work therebetween. The frame also carries means adapted to receive an explosive charge with other means for exploding the charge. Associated in the combination are means actuated by the charge explosion'intending to move the members toward each other .10 simultaneously under high pressure with mechanism preventing the movement of the members until substantially a maximum pressure is obtained from the explosion.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section'of one embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a. plan view partly in section and taken on line IIII of Fig. 1; Fig.

3 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken on line III-III of Fig. 1; Fig, 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line IVIV of Fig. 1 but with the die members shown in compressing position; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-section view taken on line V-V of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the frame proper; Fig. 'I is ,a cross-sectional view of a typical product of the press and more specifically comprises a sleeve joining cable ends together; Fig. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of my invention; Fig. 9 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 8 as taken on line IXD thereof; Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken on line X-X of Fig. 9.

Although the apparatus of my invention is broadly applicable to substantially any pressing operation involving the use of work-engaging, forming or die members, it particularly adapts itself to securing pipes, tubes, electrical or other cables together with metal sleeves and accordingly, in the several forms of the invention herein considered, use of the invention to connect electric cables has been illustrated and described. More particularly, referring to Figs. 1 to 6, the numeral 90 indicates a base or frame formed with aligned spaced block portions l2 and I4. Each block portion is formed with a bore receiving sleeves it and I 8 respectively which are preferably made of stainless steel or other corrosion resisting metal. The sleeves l6 and I8 are held 60 tightly in position as, for example; by providing abutments 20 and 22 at the adjacent ends of the bores and forcing the sleeves against the abutments by means of plugs 24 and 26 respectively, each having a threaded periphery received in a suitable tapped opening in the block portions. Preferably copper or brass sealing washers 26 and 66 are provided between the ends of the plugs and the sleeves for positively sealing both in position.

The sleeves I6 and I6 form cylinders slidably receiving respectively piston hammers 62 and 64 formed with substantially square heads 66 and 66. Each of the piston heads 66 and 66 is provided with a central recess receiving circular bosses 40 and 42 formed integral with work-engaging die members 44 and 46. The bosses 46 and 42, and thus the die members, are removably connected with the piston ,hammers 32 and 64 respectively through the use of screws 46 and 46.

Associated with the die members 44 and 46 are means for positioning the work which in the embodiment of the invention illustrated comprises a metal sleeve S adapted to connect cables C and C. The positioning means includes a jig box 62 having a flat bottom, vertically extending side walls and open ends so that, as seen in the several figures of the drawings, the jig box surrounds the die members 44 and 46 and allows for sliding movement thereof in the box. The vertical side walls of the jig box 62 are formed with opposed key-hole slots 56 which at their narrow portion are substantially equal to the diameter of the cables C and C, and at their circular portion are substantially of the same diameter as the sleeve S before it is compressed by the die members.

- Thus, by means of the key-hole slots 56 the sleeve S and cables C and C' are accurately positioned relative to the die members 44 and 46, as hereinafter more fully explained.

The jig box 62 is secured to and centered on the frame III by what I call a safety shear pin 60. Likewise, the die members 44. and 46 are secured to the vertical side walls of the jig box 62 by shear pins 62 and 64. It will be recognized that by the provision of the shear pins 60, 62 and 64 the die members 44 and 46 are positioned and held at equally spaced distances from the sleeve S and cables C and C. It should be noted, however, that the jig box 62 is shorter than the distance between the block portions I2 and I4 by a distance somewhat greater than the combined movement of the die members 44 and 46 together during the compressing operation. This feature is clearly illlustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings and permits movement of the jig box relative to the frame I in case the safety shear pin 60 is sheared, as will be described in greater detail.

The plugs 24 and 26 are provided with central bores adapted to receive explosive charges which are preferably in the form of cartridges 66 and 10. It will be seen that for the proper operation of the mechanism described, the cartridges 66 and must be simultaneously fired. In the embodiment of the invention shown this is achieved by the provision of a yoke indicated generally by the numeral 15, and having end portions l6 and 16 extending over the ends of the block portions I2 and I4 of the frame and received in apertures 60 and 62 formed in the frame. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 3, the yoke member 16 is received between vertically extending flanges 64 formed on the block portions I2 and I4 and while not illustrated in the drawings I contemplate the use of two or more spring-pressed ball detents for releasably holding the yoke on the frame.

Secured to the central upper portion of the yoke I5 is a nipple 66 having a bore receiving a cartridge 86 and adapted to be fired by a pin 60 slidably mounted in a cap 02 having a removable threaded connection with the nipple 66. The firing pin 66 is provided'with a slot at one side which receives the end of a screw 64 carried in the cap 62 whereby the firing pin is retained in the cap but is capable of having sumcient movement to explode the cartridge 66 when the firing pin is struck from above as by a hammer.

The vertically upper side of the yoke 16 is formed with groooves which receive tubes 66 and 66, each slidably c rrying closely fitting tappet rods I60 and- I62 which move as pistons in the tubes. The tubes 66 and 66 have a forced gastight fit with the nipple 66 and are retained in the grooves in the yoke 16 by a cover plate I04 secured to the yoke. Mounted pivotally at each end of the yoke as by pins I66 and I06 are fingers I I0 and H2 which are normally urged into contact with the ends of the tappet rods I00 and I02 respectively by compression springs H6 and H4.- Flring'pins H6 and H6 are mounted in the end portions I6 and 16 of the yoke in alignment with the cartridges 66 and I0 and are, respectively, normally urgedoutwardly into contact with the ends of the fingers H0 and H2 by compression springs I20 and I.

It is believed that the operation of the apparatus will be apparent from the foregoing description. However, briefly summarizing, in the use of the mechanism the cable ends C and C are inserted int he sleeve 8 which has been positioned in the round portions of the key-hole openings 66 in the jig box 62, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. With parts in the positions shown in these same figures the firing pin "is struck with a hammer to explode cartridge 66. The expansive force of the exploded cartridge causes tappet rods I00 and I02 to move simultaneously as pistons in tubes 66 and 96 to rapidly tilt fingers I I0 and II 2, thereby driving firing pins H6 and H6 into car tridges 66 and I0 to simultaneously explode them.

' The force of the explosions is transferred to piston hammers 32 and 64 but movement of the pistons and associated die members 44 and 46 is prevented by shear pins 62 and 64 until substantially a maximum pressure has been built up by the explosions. The particular pressure necessary to shear the pins 62 and 64 is, of course, dependent upon their size. In all events once the pressures from the explosions have reached a predetermined point, the pins 62 and 64 shear and the die members 44 and 46 are driven together with high velocity and power to effect a hammerlike compressing and die-shaping action upon the portion of the sleeve 8 positioned between the die members. In this manner the end of the cable C is very firmly secured to the sleeve 8.

Yoke member 16 which merely fits down over the frame I0 is now picked off and new cartridges are substituted for the fired cartridges 66 and I0. The cap 62 is unscrewed from the nipple 66 and a new ,cartridge is substituted for the fired cartridge 66. The die members 44 and 46 are moved apart and new shear pins are substituted for the sheared shear pins 62 and 64. The sleeve S is moved laterally through the jig box 62 to position it for the second compressing operation, namely, to secure the sleeve 8 to the cable 0'. The mechanism is then actuated as before described to complete the joining of the cables together. The joined cables are removed from the apparatus by first removing the yoke 15 and then laterally moving the sleeve 8 out of the jig box 52, at which time the connected cables can be lifted out of the apparatus since the cables are smaller in diameter than the slottted portion of the keyholes 06 on the sides of the Jig box 02.

'I'hepurposeofthesafetyshearpin isthreefold. First, it normally positions the jig box 02 relative to the die members 44 and 40. Second, it acts as a safety feature in case one or the other of the cartridges 60 and 16 fails to fire. If, for example, cartridge 10 fails to fire and cartridge 60 does fire, the pin 62 first shears and allows the die member 44 to drive down against the sleeve 8. Since, however. the sleeve 8 is only supported by the jig box 02 the hammer-like blow of the die member 44 shears the safety shear pin 66 and drives the sleeve in the iig box down to a position where the sleeve is compressed between the then stationary die member 46 and the die member 44. This action is possible due to making the Jig box 02 shorter than the distance between the block portions l2 and I4 of the frame by a distance slightly greater than the combined movement of the die members.

In addition to the foregoing, the safety shear pin 60 performs the function of synchronizing the compressive action of the die members 44 and 46. If, for example, one of the cartridges 66 or 10 is slower burning than the other or if the shear pins 62 and 64 do not yield at exactly the same time, the safety shear pin 60 functions to co-ordinatethe compressing action of the die members. More particularly,if the cartridge 60 is a fraction of a second slower burning than the cartridge 10, the shear pin 64 yields a fraction of a second before pin 62 and the die member 46 is driven toward the sleeve 8 a fraction of a second before the die member 44. However, as will be seen from the drawings, the safety shear pin 60'is somewhat stronger than the shear pin 64 or 62 so that the fractim of a second needed to shear the pin 60 causes the die members 44 and 46 to do their work on the sleeve while it and the jig box 52 are still in a central position which is desirable as discussed above.

While the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 and above described employs two cartridges for moving-the die members simultaneously with a third cartridge being employed to simultaneously fire the die-moving cartridges, I likewise contemplate employing a single cartridge to simultaneously actuate both die members. Thus, in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10, the numeral I40 indicates a base-plate having a longitudinally extending groove I42 in its upper surface receiving a jig box I 44 normally held against movement in the groove by a safety shear pin I46. Removably mounted on the base-plate I40 is a yoke frame I40 having spaced aligned bores receiving sleeves I and I52 preferably of stainless steel or other corrosion-resisting metal, and having a force flt in the bores. Slidably positioned in the sleeves are piston hammers I54 and I06 which are removably secured to die members I50 and I60, respectively. The die members are substantially rectangular in transverse cross-section and have a sliding flt in the jig box I44.

The yoke frame I40 is formed with a nipple I62 which is bored to receive a cartridge I64. To facilitate removal of the cartridge a metal bushing I66 adapted to receive the cartridge and, in turn, be received in the nipple I02 may be provided. The bushing I66 and cartridge I64 are removably held in position by a cap I having a threaded fit on the nipple I62, as illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings. Cap I66 carries a firing pin I10 with a lock pin I12 holding the firing pin I10 in the cap but permitting limited movement of the pin sufiicient to detonate the cartridge I64.

Duetothe ofsealingthebushingi with respect to then'ipple I62 during the discharge of the cartridge, I have found it ad-;

visabletoextendthecartridgethroughthe bushing into the bore of the nipple a sufiicientdistance so'that when the cartridge is fired the brass of the shell-is forced into sealing rela- .flonwith thewallsof the nipple I02.

.with suitable recesses to receive the lower ends .of the yoke frame I40, as best illustrated in Hg. 9.

The jig box I is provided with 0111306601 k67- hole slots I06 of which the circular portions are of a size to closely receive and support an eyelet E to besecuredtotheendofawirew. Theslotted portion of the key-hole slots I06 is of a dimension to allow the wire W to slip therethrough. As in the first-described embodiment of my invention, the die members I06 and I60 aresecured to the jig box I44 by shearpins I00 and I60, respectively, and the jig box is made of a length less than the distance between the opposed ends of the yoke frame by an amount slightly greater than the total movement of the die members I00 and I66.

, The operation of this embodiment of my invention is substantially identical with that heretofore described with the exception that, once the mechanism has been set up, the die members are actuated to deliver a hammer-like compressing and shaping blow upon the eyelet E by the expansive force exerted by the explosion of the single cartridge I64 which is detonated by striking the firing pin I10 with a hammer. The action of shear pins I00 and I00 and safety shear pin I46 is identical with that heretofore described in conjunction with the first embodiment of my in- .vention. The reloading of the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 8 to 10 is somewhat more rapid than the three-cartridge type since cap I66 need only be removed and a new bushing and cartridge substituted for fired cartridge I64and its supporting bushing I66. The die members I06 and I60. are pried apart and a new eyelet and wire positioned in the jig box, new shear pins I60 and I00 provided. and the cap is replaced, whereupon the'operation can be repeated.

It should be understood that in the second embodiment of my invention cables can be connected by sleeves or other pressing or crimping operations can be performed as desired. However, ordinarily I contemplate pressing heavier members on the first form of my invention illustrated and described since the force exerted by the die members is the result. of the explosion of two cartridges, one of which is positioned directly behind each die member. Of course, the second embodiment of my invention shown and described ordinarily employs a larger cartridge since it must actuate both pistons. However. in the usual practice of my invention the second embodiment thereof is employed on lighter work or upon work requiring less pressure to achieve the de-'- sired result.

In the use of either embodiment of the invention disclosed I contemplate replacing the die members 44 and or Ill and I" with dies of different or related sizes so that the press can be readily adapted by a simple operation to handle a wide variety of sleeve, eyelet and cable sizes. Furthermore, the principles of my invention are applicable broadly to other operations than connecting sleeves and cables and work-engaging, forming, or die members adapted to perform various processes, such as the Joining of pipes, may be used instead of the die members indicated.

. From the foregoing it will be evident that the objects of my invention have been achieved by provision-of relatively light weight, portable apparatus by sturdy and long-wearing character adapted to be handled by the relatively unskilled operator and operating to perform rapidly a wide variety of pressing and die-forming processes and particularly adapted to secure cables together or metal eyelets thereto. The combination of the oppositely acting pistons and work-engaging members results in a press particularly free from shock and impact and the frame is without kick or jar which facilitates its support and the support of the work between the members.

Although in accordance with the Patent Statutes, two embodiments of my invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it should be claims.

I claimL 1. In combination, a frame having a pair of spaced apart but aligned cylindrical hcres therein, a piston movably mounted in each bore, workengaging means associated with each piston and facing each other so that upon movement of the piston toward each other any work positioned between the means will be acted on, explosive means associated with the pistons and adapted on firing to move the pistons simultaneously toward each other, means for actuating the explosive means, means for positioning the work between the workengaging means, and means holding the pistons against movement until substantially the maximum explosive pressure has been reached.

2. In combination, a frame having a pair of spaced apart but aligned cylindrical bores therein, a piston movably mounted in each bore, workengaging means associated with each piston and facing each other so that upon movement of the pistons toward each other any work positioned between the means will be acted on, explosive means associated with the pistons and adapted on firing to move the pistons simultaneously toward each other, means for actuating the explosive means, and means for positioning the work between the work-engaging means.

3. In combination, a frame having a plurality of spaced apart bores therein, a piston movably mounted in each bore, work-engaging means associated with each piston and facing each other so that upon movement of the pistons toward each other any work positioned between the means will be acted on, explosive means associated with the pistons and adapted on ilring to simultaneously move the pistons toward each other, and means for actuating the explosive means.

mounted in each bore, work-engaging means associated with each piston and facing each other so that upon movement of the pistons toward each other any work positioned between the means will be acted on, explosive means associated with the pistons and adapted on firing to move the pistons simultaneously toward each other, means for actuating the explosive means, and means holding the pistons against movement untiksubstantially the maximum explosive pressure has been reached.

5. A press comprising a frame, a plurality of die members mountedin the frame for movement to and from each other and shaped to receive a piece of work therebetween, means in the frame to receive an explosive charge, means to explode the charge, means actuated by the charge explosion tending to move both die members toward each other under high pressure, means holding both die members against movement until substantially a maximum pressure is obtained from the explosion, and a Jig for removably positioning the work between the die members.

6. A press comprising a frame, a pair of die members mounted in the frame for movement to and from each other, and shaped to receive a piece of work therebetween, means in the frame to receive an explosive, charge, means to explode the charge, means actuated by the charge explosion tending to move both die members toward each other under high pressure, and means preventing the movement of both die members until substantially a maximum pressure is obtained from the explosion.

7. A press comprising a frame, a pair of die members mounted on the frame for movement to and from each other, and shaped to receive a piece of work therebetween, means in the frame to receive an explosive charge, means to explode the charge, and means actuated by the charge explosion tending to move both die members toward each other under high pressure.

8. In combination, a frame, dies slidably mounted in the frame for movement into and out of engagement, means associated with each die for receiving an explosive charge which charge when exploded is adapted to move the die, individual means for detonating each charge, and means including a centrally positioned holder for an explosive charge and a detonating mechanism for simultaneously actuating the individual detonating means.

9. In combination, a frame, dies slidably mounted in the frame for movement toward and from each other, means associated with each die for receiving an explosive charge which charge when exploded is adapted to move the die, and means for simultaneously detonating each charge.

10. In combination, a frame, dies slidably mounted in the frame for movement toward and from each other, means associated with each die for receiving an explosive charge which charge when exploded is adapted to move the die, individual means for detonating each charge, a jig box slidably mounted on the frame and adapted to releasably position the work between the dies, a safety shear pin normally fixing the position of the jig box on the frame and shear pins securing the dies in spaced relation to the jig box until a predetermined pressure is created by the explosion of the charges.

11. In combination, a frame, dies slidably mounted in the frame for movement toward and from each other, means associated with each die for receiving an explosive charge which charge when exploded is adapted to move the die, individual means for detonating each charge, a jig slidably mounted on the frame and adapted to releasably position the work between the dies, and a safety shear pin normally fixing the position of the jig on the frame.

12. In combination, a frame, dies slidably mounted in the frame for movement toward and from each other, means associated with each die for receiving an explosive charge which charge when exploded is adapted to move the die, individual means for detonating each charge, and a jig mounted on the frame and adapted to releasably position the work between the dies.

13. In combination, a frame, dies mounted in the frame for movement to and from each other,

means positioned substantially equidistant between the dies and mounted on the frame for receiving an explosive charge, the frame having conduits connecting the back of the dies with the means receiving the explosive charge, means to fire the explosive charge, jig means mounted on the frame and positioning the material to be treated between the dies, and means on the jig means for holding the dies against movement toward each other until a predetermined pressure has been reached by the explosion of the charge. a

14. In combination, a frame, dies mounted in the frame for movement to and from each other, means positioned between the dies and mounted on the frame for receiving an explosive charge, the frame having conduits connecting the back of 5 the dies with the means receiving the explosive charge, means to fire the explosive charge and jig means mounted on the frame and positioning the material to be treated between the dies.

15. In combination, a frame, piston members mounted in the frame for movement to and from each other, means positioned equidistant between the piston members and mounted on the frame for receiving an explosive charge, and means actuated by the explosion of the charge to move both piston members simultaneously toward each other.

16. In combination, a frame, a pair of workengaging members movable to and from each other, a jig for supporting the work between the members, means normally securing the jig to the frame but adapted to release when the forces on the jig exceed a predetermined amount so that the jig can move toward one or the other of the dies, and means securing the work-engaging members to the jig in spaced apart relation but adapted to release when the forces on the members exceed predetermined amounts less than said first predetermined amount.

17. A hammer press comprising a frame, die members slidably mounted in the frame for movement toward each other, means for simultaneously moving each die member toward the other with hammer-like force, and means centrally positioning the work between the die members, said last named means being movable toward one or the other of the dies when a predetermined force thereon is exerted.

ROBERT TEMPLE, JR. 

